Plate connected structural member construction for building walls

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses channel members, as the broadest common element, with various adaptions made with relation to, or in the channel members whereby other members may be latchable engaged therewith, as the channels are in place in wall constructions, whereby the channels may segregate building corner or wall section spaces to receive reenforcing concrete therein. A first presented form of the invention relied upon slots and pins in respective interfitting members to segregate the corner or wall spaces into which the reenforcing concrete was poured. In a later presented form of the invention reliance was made upon interfitting teeth, with flexibility of tooth engagement being accomplished by making one tooth forming member of plastic with enough resilience to give amply to permit teeth interfitment. In a preferred form of the invention, now presented the members to be interfitted provide respectively vertically disposed holes in one member, as the channel, to receive therethrough latch providing extensions which are spring urged into latching position after passing through the aforesaid holes.

United States Patent Sikes PLATE CONNECTED STRUCTURAL MEMBERCONSTRUCTION FOR BUILDING WALLS Inventor: John Sikes, 8535 Findlay,Houston,

Tex. 77017 Filed: Jan. 19, 1971 Appl. No.: 107,799

Related US. Application Data Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 697,672,Jan. 15, 1968, abandoned, Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 882,995, Dec.8, 1969.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Needham et al ..52/393 Parsons..52/242 Kellogg ..52/48l Bohnsack ..52/48 1 Betcone ..52/62 Stolz..52/48l Kotrbaty ..52/495 151 3,683,576 51 Aug. 15, 1972 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 286,041 7/1915 Germany 761,444 l/ 1934 France..52/481 Primary Examiner-Frank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-James L.Ridgill, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT The invention discloses channel members, as the broadestcommon element, with various adaptions made with relation to, or in thechannel members whereby other members may be latchable engagedtherewith, as the channels are in place in wall constructions, wherebythe channels may segregate building -comer or wall section spaces toreceive reentorcing concrete therein. A first presented form of theinvention relied upon slots and pins in respective interfitting membersto segregate the corner or wall spaces into which the reenforcingconcrete was poured. In a later presented form of the invention reliancewas made upon inter-fitting teeth, with flexibility of tooth engagementbeing accomplished by making one tooth forming member of plastic withenough resilience to give amply to permit teeth interfitment. In apreferred form of the invention, now presented the members to beinterfitted provide respectively vertically disposed holes in onemember, as the channel, to receive therethrough latch providingextensions which are spring -urged into latching position after passingthrough the aforesaid holes.

9 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDMW m2 3.683.576 sum 2 or 3 JaH/v 5/K55 .21. 7- .ll. INVENTOR.

BYMiZM P'A'IENTEDmc 15 1912 saw 3 or 3 INVENTOR, JOHN Smss BY HTTORNEYPLATE CONNECTED STRUCTURAL MEMBER CONSTRUCTION FOR BUILDING WALLSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is acontinuation-in-part of applicants application, Ser. No. 697,672 filedon Jan. 15, 1968, now abandoned; and is also a continuation-in-882,995,filed Dec. 8, 1969 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to novel and efficient methods and structures for usein erecting the walls of buildings. Though not limited thereto, thepresent invention is particularly useful in interconnectingprefabricated wall panels.

One object of the invention is to provide new and improved columnarstructures for supporting the wall sheaths forming the two sides of abuilding wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved columnarstructures for forming the corners at the meeting places of pairs ofbuilding walls running in different directions.

Other and further objects will be apparent when the specification hereinis considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings previously presented andrepeated herein are described:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a corner construction which also shows acolumnar construction spaced from the corner and spacing wall sheathsections transversely apart;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a corner construction, as shown in FIG. 1, thefigure also showing a columnar construction spaced to the left of thecorner construction and corresponding in construction with the columnarconstruction shown to the right of the corner construction in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of a connector plate as used toconnect columnar channels in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of a connector plate as used toconnect corner members to a corner angle, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is an elevational cross-sectional view through a portion of oneof the walls shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of a modified embodiment of cornerconstruction;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional plan views of the adjacent ends ofwall panels which are to be connected to one another, such views showinga modified embodiment of structure for interconnecting the wall panels;

FIG. 9 is a elevational view taken along section line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view taken along section line 10-10 of FIG. 8;and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing in greater detail theinterlocking of the interconnecting structures of FIGS. 7 and 8.

The drawings presented herein for the first time to disclose a preferredform of the invention, are described as follows:

FIG. 12 is a plan view of corner construction showing to small scale thelatching members of this form of the invention as urged to latchedposition after having been passed through holes in respective channels;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view through a wall section, including achannel providing latch receiving notches therein;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view through a wall section, including achannel including plates therewith equipped with latches shown in smallscale, and for purpose of passing through the holes shown in the channelof FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view, including latches of the type shown tosmall scale in FIGS. 12 and 14, a section of latch receiving channelbeing included;

FIG. 16 is a larger scale isometric view of a latch of the type shown inFIGS. 12, 14 and 15;

FIG. 17 is a view of a channel web portion with hole therein, with alatch of the type shown in FIGS. 12, 14, I5 and 16, being showncontracted in passage through the hole; and

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a variation of the latch shown in thehereinabove described figures, adapted for installation on thin wallstructures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail tothe drawings of structures now pending, in which like reference numeralsare applied to like elements in the various views, a buildingconstruction 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which a comer construction11 is shown and also wall panel constructions l2 and 13 extending fromthe comer 11 at right angles to each other. An intermediate column andwall sheath spacer construction 14 is shown at the right of the comer 11in FIG. 1 and to the left of the corner 11 in FIG. 2, which isillustrative of the columnar construction comprising an importantportion of this invention.

In detail, a column 14 is shown as comprising upstanding channels 15a,15b with respective pairs of channel flanges 16a, 16b in outer edge faceabutment. Outer and inner upstanding connector plates 17a, 17b are showndisposed against the inner faces of the outer channel flanges 16a and16b and against the inner faces of the inner channel flanges 16a and16b, with the flanges 16b being provided with latch bolts or rivets 18with heads 18a disposed at a spaced distance inwardly from the innerfaces of the respective channel flanges 16b, such spaced distance beinga distance slightly greater than the thickness of the plates 17a and 17bIn fabrication, the channel 15b is first placed in proper uprightposition on a conventional runner or slab 19, as shown in FIG. 5, withthe bolts or rivets 18 vertically spaced along flanges 16b atpredetermined distances apart. Then the channel 15a (with the left outerfaces of the connector plates 17a and 17b secured to the respectiveinner faces of the channel flanges 16a, as by gluing, welding, bolting,or by any appropriate means) is maneuvered to latch the connector plates17a and 17b, having therein the appropriately spaced latching slots 20shown in FIG. 3 over the aforesaid bolts or rivets 18 which extendinwardly from the flanges 16b With the opposed or abutting channels 15aand 15b thus positioned and latched together, the inner wall sheaths 21aand outer wall sheaths 21b are caterrninous with and disposed againstand secured to the outer faces of the channel flanges 16a and 16b ofspaced apart aligned columns 14 whereby the wall sheaths 21a and 21b areproperly longitudinally aligned and transversely spaced apart. As shownin cross-section in FIG. 5, a wall construction 12 or 13, comprised ofwall sheaths 21a and 21b, thus spaced apart, fits at bottom intorectangularly cross-sectioned groove means 22 in a concrete slab orrunner l9, concrete 23 having been poured to a depth between the wallsheaths or within the column 14 to anchor a wall 12 or 13 to the base orslab 19.

The comer construction 11, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes an outercorner angle member 24 which may be of the same construction material asthe walls 210 and 21b, or of any suitable light material. Then inwardlyof the angle member 24, in the finally assembled views of FIGS. 1 and 2,a structural angle 25 is shown, such angle 25 have appropriately,vertically spaced apart bolts or rivets 18 which extend inwardly fromthe inner faces of the angle legs 25a and 25b Angle 25 is secured toangle member 24 by gluing, welding, or the like. Also, the cornerconstruction 11 includes a channel 26a across the wall construction 12at ninety degrees to the wall construction 13. Each of the channels 26aand 26b has vertically spaced apart inwardly extending studs 18b mountedon the flange 27a thereof.

A connector plate 280 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as having its left,outer face disposed against and secured to the inner face of the flange27b of the channel 26a, such connector plate having vertically spacedapart slots in the right-hand side thereof. As indicated in FIG. 4, theslots 30 each have an enlarged upper portion 30a and a smaller, lowerportion 30b, for purposes to be hereinbelow described. Also, a secondconnector plate 28b is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as having its right, outerface disposed against and secured to the inner face of the flange 27b ofthe channel 26b, such plate having vertically spaced apart slots 30, ashereinabove described, in the left-hand side thereof as viewed inFIG. 1. A further angle 29 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as having holesvertically spaced apart in both legs 29a and 29b thereof.

The assembly of the comer construction 11 is accomplished first bydisposing channels 26a and 26b in upright positions in the relative planpositions indicated in FIG. 1 and best visualized from FIG. 2. Then theinner angle 29 is placed in proximity to the respective inner flanges27a of the channels 260 and 26b and in a manner such that the theoversized holes 35 receive the studs 18b therein. Next, with theconnector plates 28a and 28b in established contact with the channelflanges 27b of the respective channels 26a and 26b, the angle 25 ismoved toward the position shown in FIG. 1. As best visualized in FIG. 2,the bolt heads 18a are passed through the larger, uppermost portions 30aof the slots 30 in the connector plates 28a and 28b and then loweredinto the smaller, lower portions 30b thereof.

As indicated in FIG. 2, spacer members 32 and 32a if desired) may belocated intermediate the column structures 14 or between the comercolumn structure 11 and the nearest such column structure 14.

After the comer structure 11 and the wall structures 12 and 13 have beenassembled and erected, the centers of the column structures 14 (theregions enclosed by each pair of channel members 15a and 15b and thecenter of the corner column structure 11 (the region enclosed by channelmembers 26a and 26b and angle member 25) are preferably filled with afiller material such as concrete. Such concrete is indicated byreference numeral 33 in FIG. 2. After the concrete hardens, it seals thejoint defined by the structural members forming the column structures.Such concrete also provides a weight bearing columnar structure forsupporting the next floor level or the roof or the like of the building.

The column structures 11 and 14 are particularly useful forinterconnecting prefabricated wall panels. Considering, for example, thecolumn structure 14 shown in FIG. 2, the wall panel structure connectedto the channel 15a can be prefabricated at a factory location with thechannel 15a and connector plates 17a and 17b mounted in the left-handend thereof. In a similar manner, the wall panel structure connected tothe right-hand channel 15b can be prefabricated at the factory with thechannel 15b and latch bolts 18 mounted in the left-hand end thereof.Thereafter, when the wall panels arrive at the building site, they canbe quickly connected together by lowering the wall panel having theconnector plates 17a and 17b so as to cause the latch bolts 18 to moveupwardly into the latching slots 20 in such connector plates 17a and 17bAfter the concrete is poured into the center space intermediate thechannels 15a and 15b and allowed to harden, a relatively permanentconnection of the wall panels is ob tained.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-1 1, there will be described modified forms ofconstruction for the comer and noncomer column structures. Consideringfirst FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown in a disengaged or disconnectedmanner the two parts which, when connected together, form a structuralcolumn which is located at an intermediate point in a building wall.This column structure includes first and second upstanding structuralmembers 40 and 41. Member 40 is a structural channel member having a web40a, an inner flange 40b, and an outer flange 400. The second structuralmember 41 is also a structural channel member having a web 41a, an innerflange 41b, and an outer flange 41c Channel member 40 is mounted in theright-hand end of a wall panel 42 having wall sheaths 42a and 42b Thesecond channel member 41, on the other hand, is mounted in the left-handend of a wall panel 43 having wall sheaths 43a and 43b When the wallpanels 42 and 43 are connected together, the inner flanges 40b and 41babut one another. Similarly, the outer flanges 40c and 410 likewise abutone another.

The column construction of FIGS. 7 and 8 further includes firstconnector means 44 mounted on the first structural channel member 40between the flanges 40b and 400 thereof. This connector means orconnector 44 is a generally U-shaped channel member having a web 44asecured to the web 40a of the channel 40 and having a pair of legs 44band 44c which constitute ribbed elements which extend toward the secondstructural channel member 41. The ribs are provided by cutting series oflongitudinally extending notches in the outer surfaces of the legs 44band 44c The notches or ribs on leg 44b are indicated at 44d The notchesor ribs on leg 440 are indicated at 44e As can be seen from theelevational type view of FIG. 9, these ribs 44d and 44e run at rightangles to the direction of extension of the legs 44b and 440 The columnstructure of FIGS. 7 and 8 also includes second connector means 45mounted on the second structural channel member 41 between the flanges41b and 41c thereof. This second connection means or connector 45 isalso a generally or approximately U-shaped channel member. As such, theconnector 45 includes a web 45a which is secured to the web 41a of thestructural channel 41 and a pair of legs 45b and 450 which constituteribbed elements which extend toward the first structural channel 40. Theribs are indicated at 45d and 45e These ribs 45d and 45e are formed bycutting series of longitudinally extending notches in the inner surfacesof the legs 45b and 450 These notches or ribs 45d and 45e run at rightangles to the direction of extension of the legs 45b and 45c The secondconnector 45 is sized so that the legs 45b and 45c thereof will fitsnugly over the legs 44b and 440 of the first connector 44. This enablesthe ribs 45d and 45e to lock in place intermediate the ribs 44d and 44a,respectively, of the first connector 44. This locked condition is shownfor a portion of the ribs 44d and 45d in the fragmentary view of FIG.1 1. The second connector 45 is of a resilient construction for enablingthe ribs 45d and 45e thereof to slide over and then lock in placeintermediate the ribs 44d and Me of the first connector 44. In apreferred embodiment, the first connector 44 is made of metal and thesecond connector 45 is made of a resilient plastic material.

Connector 44 is secured to the structural channel 40 by a series ofvertically spaced apart bolts or rivets 46. The second connector 45 issimilarly secured to the second structural channel 41 by a series ofvertically spaced apart bolts or rivets 47.

Considering now the modified comer column construction of FIG. 6, suchconstruction is generally indicated at 50 and is used for forming acorner joint between a pair of wall panels 51 and 52 extending at rightangles to one another. The corner structure 50 includes a firstupstanding structural channel member 53 mounted in the end of the wallpanel 51 and having a web 53a and a pair of flanges 53b and 530 whichextend in the direction of the corner of the wall structure. The comerstructure 50 also includes a second structural channel member 54 mountedin the end of the second wall panel 52 and having a web 54a and a pairof flanges 54b and 540 which extends in the direction of the desiredcorner joint. Secured to the first structural channel 53 is firstconnector 55 in the form of an angle member having a ribbed or notchedleg 55a extending in the direction of the common comer location. Securedto the second structural channel 54 is a second connector 56 in the formof a channel-shaped member having ribbed or notched legs 56a and 56bwhich extend in the direction of the common corner location.

The comer structure 50 further includes an upstanding structure anglemember 57 having legs 57a and 57b which adjoin the outer flanges 53c and54c of the channels 54 and 54, respectively. Secured to the leg 57a is aribbed element 58 in the form of a bent plate which extends the verticallength of the angle 57. The ribs or notches 58a of the element 58 engagethe ribs or notches on the connector 55 in an overlapping andinterlocking manner. Secured to the other leg 57b of the angle 57 is asecond ribbed element 59 in the form of a bent plate which runs thevertical length of the angle 57. The longitudinally extending ribs ornotches 59a of the bent plate 59 engage the ribs or notches on the outersurface of the leg 56a of the second connector 56 in an overlapping andinterlocking manner.

The corner structure also includes an inner angle member 60, having oneleg 60a secured to the inner flange 53b of the first structural channel53. The other leg 60b of the angle member 60 includes a ribbed ornotched portion for engaging the ribs or notches on the leg 56b of theconnector 56.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connectors and 56 areconstructed of a resilient plastic material. These connectors 55 and 56are secured to their respective structural channels 53 and 54 by meansof bolts, rivets, or any other suitable securing mechanism or agent.

The comer structure 50 is assembled by first positioning the outer angle57 so that the ribs 58a engage the ribs or connector leg 55a and thenmoving the second well panel 52 into position such that the connector 56is inserted between the bent plate 59 and the inner angle member 60.

After the various well panels have been erected and various columnstructure connectors have been interconnected, the interiors or centersof the various FIG. 6-11 type column structures are filled with anappropriate load sustaining material such as concrete.

If desired, some of the teeth forming the ribs on any one or more ofconnectors 44, 45, 55, and 56 and members 58, 59, and may be of arounded character instead of a pointed character. Considering connector44, for example, the outer tips of all but the right-hand most ones ofthe teeth 44d and 44e may be rounded off, the right-hand most tooth ineach set continuing to have a pointed tip as shown.

In a now preferred, and newly presented form of the invention, a comerconstruction is first presented in FIG. 12, with parallel wall sectionsor plates 61a, 61b extending at right angles to parallel extending wallsections or plates 62a, 62b, the inner side face of the end portion ofthe plate 62b abutting across the end or edge surface of the inner plate61b A light channel 63a is shown affixed between the ends of theparallel plates 61a, 61b, thus with flanges in abutment with the inner,end surface portions of the respective plates 61a, 61b, and acorresponding light channel 63b is shown affixed between the ends of theparallel plates 62a, 62b, thus with flanges in abutment with the inner,end surface portions of the respective plates 62a, 62b.

The channels 63a, 63b, have vertically spaced apart, rectangular shapedholes 64a, 64b, provided therein, correspondingly as indicated in FIG.17, with the holes 64a to receive therethrough latch carrying lugs 65,provided correspondingly vertically spaced apart along the outer edgesof a corner inner angle 66, the angle 66 being moved into the open comeron a course of substantially 45 whereby the inner faces of the innerflanges of the respective channels 63a, 63b, guide the angle into theposition shown in FIG. 12, as the latches 67 carried by the angle lugsare passed through the holes 64a, the latches 67 then latching as willbe hereinbelow described.

In detail each latch 67 comprises two opposed channel sections 68a, 68b,with the channel 68b having a web shorter than the web of the channelsection 680 by at least two flange thickness, whereby the channels mayfit one within the other in folded position, FIG. 17. The channels aredrilled through at their ends outermost from the angle 66 which providesthe lugs 65. The drilled through flanges of the latch channels 68a, 68b.are then fitted to receive the opposed ends of a tee member 69therethrough, vertically opposed springs 70a, 70b, having inner endsanchored to the central leg of the tee member 69, with the coils of thesprings 70a, 70b, being wound respectively upwardly and downwardly aboutthe respective upper and lower pans of the tee cross-member, and withthe respective upper and lower ends of the springs 70a, 70b, extendingsubstantially perpendicularly from the cross-member parts to formtorsion spring urging members 71a, 71b, against the inner surfaces ofthe respective inner faces of the webs of the channel sections 68a, 68b,near the respective flanges thereof.

The inner end 72 of the central leg of the tee member 69 is threaded fora pre-determined length to be threadedly received into a threaded boreprovided centrally into the outer face of the lug 65, FIG. 16. Thus eachlatch 67 may be threadably engaged by means of its tee member 69 to apre-determined depth in its respective lug or carrier 65. Thus when alug 65 carrying its latch 67, folded to pass through its respectivechannel hole 64a or 64b, passes through the hole, the torsion springends 71a, 71b, urge their respective latch channels 68a, 68b outwardly,so that the beveled ends 73 of the latch channels may latch in flushabutment with the outer face of the respective wall channels 63a or 63bA specially constructed angle 74, FIG. 12, provides lugs 65 that carrycorresponding latches 67 passed throughholes 64b in the respectivechannels 63a, 63b, the lugs and holes being of size and provided atelevations in the respective angle 66 and end channel 63a, 63b, incorrespondence with the respective lugs 65 of the angle 66 and with therespective channel holes 64a This angle 74 has the outer thickness ofthe inner portions of its legs 74a, 74b, relieved for the thickness andwidth of the respective wall end channels 63a, 63b, and the inner facesof the flanges of these respective channels 63a, 63b, serve to guide thespecial angle 74 as it is brought into the corner on substantially a 45course, to enclose the corner space that is later to be filled, as withconcrete. Finally, as indicated in FIG. 12, a corner angle 75 may beinstalled upon the inner comer angle 74 to complete the corner flushwith the wall plates 61a, 62a Optionally, the corner angles 74 and 75may be provided as an integrated structure.

As a variation of the latch forms shown in FIGS. 12-17, a latch is shownin FIG. 18 in which the member that ordinarily would provide theprojection or lug to threadably receive the central member of the tee,is a thin plate 76, whereby the central member of the tee 77 is a thinbar 78 that may be connected to the plate 76, as by rivets or screws 79.In this case the width of the holes or openings through the channelmembers which are to receive this type of latches therethrough must bejust slightly greater than the thickness of the plate 76 plus thethickness of the bar 78, plus two latch channel web thicknesses, thenotch or hole height and all other features of the latch constructionbeing the same as for the latch hereinabove described in relation toFIGS. 12-17.

Making reference now to FIGS. 13 and 14, the operation of the form ofthe invention herein described with relation to FIGS. 12-17, isindicated as employed to close off a section or columnar space along awall indicated as comprised of the plates 61c,-61d, with a light channel630 shown affixed between the end portions of the plates 61c, 61d,facing outwardly, and correspondingly having vertically aligned holes64c, 64d therein.

In this case a section of the wall to be adjoined in abutment with thewall defined by and between the plates 61c, 61d, is indicated ascomprised of plates 61e, 61f, with end portions having a channel 63dthereinbetween the plate end portions, the channel 63d facing outwardly,with the channel 63d providing latches 67 for the lugs 65 provided byplates 79a, 79b which are afiixed to the inner faces of the flanges ofthe aforesaid channel 63d.

Thus with the latches 67 assembled to the projections or lugs 65, theends 80a, 80b may be peened to complete the latch assemblycorrespondingly as in the case of the latches hereinabove described withrelation to FIGS. 12 and 15-17, inclusive, also in the case of the latch67a, FIGS. 13 and 14. Thus, when the wall section 61e, 61f, is broughtwith the plate end faces thereof to abut the end faces of the respectiveplates 61c, 61d, the latches 67 pass through the respective holestherefor and are spring urged latched to latch the respective wallsections 61c, 61d, and 61e, 61f, together to provide a spacethereinbetween into which concrete can be poured to provide a columnarreenforcing structure along the walls, and entirely concealedtherewithin.

While there have been described what are at present considered to bepreferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore,intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A structural member construction for building walls comprising firstand second upstanding wall panels each including spaced apart, parallel,coterminously extending wall sheaths with end portions separated byrespective spacer channels with flanges outermost and coterrninous withsaid end portions whereby in assembly the wall sheath and channel flangeend faces may meet in abutment, one of said spacer channels havingflange extension plates with one edge face of each extension plate infixed abutment with a respective channel web and with said extensionplates in sideward abutment with inner surface of respective channelflanges, the other of said spacer channels having vertically spacedapart holes in its web just inwardly of its flanges, lugs provided toextend from the respective extension plates leading edge faces oppositethe channel web abutting edge faces, and in vertically spacedcorrespondence with the holes in the opposed channel web, whereby whensaid wall panel sheath and channel flanges are assembled in respectiveend face abutment the extension plate leading edge faces from which saidlugs extend is just short of the hole providing channel web and saidlugs extend into the respective holes with which they correspond inelevation, said lugs having pivoted latch means on their outer extendingportions, tension spring biasing said latch means outwardly, said latchmeans yieldably contracted outwardly by said spring on passing to passthrough said holes, and extended through said to latch against thesurface of the holes channel web opposite the surface thereof adjacentsaid extension plates leading edge faces.

2. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which said structural memberprovided space comprises holes vertically spaced apart through saidchannel webs to have latch lugs driven therethrough after which saidstructural members carry said latching lugs in upwardly extending slotsin said structural members, whereby said latching lugs extend throughsaid plate means in latching position.

3. Two constructions as claimed in claim 1, which are disposed at 90 toeach other whereby with inner plates in end abutment, the definedcolumnar space is for a building corner.

4. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which said structural memberprovided space comprises holes vertically spaced apart through channelwebs, and in which said latching means is projected in contractedposition through said holes for spring urged expansion thereafter tolatch against the outer surface of said channel webs.

5. A construction as claimed in claim 5, in which said latch comprises atee with central member extending from a lug on a plate means associatedmember, with the tee cross-member passing through opposed interfittinglatching channels spring urged expanded by spring included torsionmembers.

6. A construction as claimed in claim 5, in which said latch comprises atee with central member comprising a thin bar extending from a thinplate means associated member whereby hole width is slightly greaterthan thin bar plus thin plate plus two channel web widths of latchchannels in opposition through the flanges of which the cross-member ofsaid tee passes, with said latching channels being spring urged expandedby spring included torsion members.

7. A construction as claimed in claim 5, in which said latch comprises atee with central member threadable for a predetermined distance into alug on a plate means associated member, whereby with the tee crossmemberlatching springs expanded to urge inter-fitting latching channels on thetee cross-member expanded, I

the beveled ends of the latching channel flanges are in latchingabutment with channel web.

8. A construction as claimed in claim 5, in which said spring urgeexpansion of said latching means is effected by an upper springincluding a coil anchored around the central member of a tee whichextends from a lug on plate means associated with a plate, the upperspring extending upwardly around the cross-member of said tee, saidspring urged expansion of said latching means being oppositely effectedby a lower spring including a coil anchored around said central memberand extending downwardly around the cross-member of said tee.

9. A construction as claimed in claim 5, in duplicate,

wh reb the W0 cons ru tions e d's osed t to in er, whereby withinner pates i end a utment,

the defined'columnar space is for a building corner.

1. A structural member construction for building walls comprising firstand second upstanding wall panels each including spaced apart, parallel,coterminously extending wall sheaths with end portions separated byrespective spacer channels with flanges outermost and coterminous withsaid end portions whereby in assembly the wall sheath and channel flangeend faces may meet in abutment, one of said spacer channels havingflange extension plates with one edge face of each extension plate infixed abutment with a respective channel web and with said extensionplates in sideward abutment with inner surface of respective channelflanges, the other of said spacer channels having vertically spacedapart holes in its web just inwardly of its flanges, lugs provided toextend from the respective extension plates leading edge faces oppositethe channel web abutting edge faces, and in vertically spacedcorrespondence with the holes in the opposed channel web, whereby whensaid wall panel sheath and channel flanges are assembled in respectiveend face abutment the extension plate leading edge faces from which saidlugs extend is just short of the hole providing channel web and saidlugs extend into the respective holes with which they correspond inelevation, said lugs having pivoted latch means on their outer extendingportions, tension spring biasing said latch means outwardly, said latchmeans yieldably contracted outwardly by said spring on passing to passthrough said holes, and extended through said to latch against thesurface of the holes channel web opposite the surface thereof adjacentsaid extension plates leading edge faces.
 2. A construction as claimedin claim 1 in which said structural member provided space comprisesholes vertically spaced apart through said channel webs to have latchlugs driven therethrough after which said structural members carry saidlatching lugs in upwardly extending slots in said structural members,whereby said latching lugs extend through said plate means in latchingposition.
 3. Two constructions as claimed in claim 1, which are disposedat 90* to each other whereby with inner plates in end abutment, thedefined columnar space is for a building corner.
 4. A construction asclaimed in claim 1 in which said structural member provided spacecomprises holes vertically spaced apart through channel webs, and inwhich said latching means is projected in contracted position throughsaid holes for spring urged expansion thereafter to latch against theouter surface of said channel webs.
 5. A construction as claimed inclaim 5, in which said latch comprises a tee with central memberextending from a lug on a plate means associated member, with the teecross-member passing through opposed inter-fitting latching channelsspring urged expanded by spring included torsion members.
 6. Aconstruction as claimed in claim 5, in which said latch comprises a teewith central member comprising a thin bar extending from a thin platemeans associated member whereby hole width is slightly greater than thinbar plus thin plate plus two channel web widths of latch channels inopposition through the flanges of which the cross-mEmber of said teepasses, with said latching channels being spring urged expanded byspring included torsion members.
 7. A construction as claimed in claim5, in which said latch comprises a tee with central member threadablefor a predetermined distance into a lug on a plate means associatedmember, whereby with the tee cross-member latching springs expanded tourge inter-fitting latching channels on the tee cross-member expanded,the beveled ends of the latching channel flanges are in latchingabutment with channel web.
 8. A construction as claimed in claim 5, inwhich said spring urge expansion of said latching means is effected byan upper spring including a coil anchored around the central member of atee which extends from a lug on plate means associated with a plate, theupper spring extending upwardly around the cross-member of said tee,said spring urged expansion of said latching means being oppositelyeffected by a lower spring including a coil anchored around said centralmember and extending downwardly around the cross-member of said tee. 9.A construction as claimed in claim 5, in duplicate, whereby the twoconstructions are disposed at 90* to each other, whereby with innerplates in end abutment, the defined columnar space is for a buildingcorner.